Air Traffic need to cool their jets-but still sparkle

Hard Rock Calling 2009 review

By Nick Hagan | Published: Fri 3rd Jul 2009

Hard Rock Calling 2009

Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June 2009
Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH, England MAP
£45 for Saturday

Despite the blazing sun outside, Air Traffic seem to be in a singularly dark mood. Built around a belligerent, sexed up bass line, opener 'Take Your Hands Off Me' comes across like a lost Radiohead gem, blending it's violent, dark-hued swagger with a frisson of vulnerability that is nigh on irresistible. Actually, it's a trick the band repeats throughout their set; you don't need to be a musical genius to see that this lot have been drinking deep from the well of Thom Yorke and co (so to speak). But when they do it this well, who cares? Despite looking like they've come straight from school band practice, frontman Chris Wall and his bandmates play a clutch of sensuously dark, mature songs that belies their chirpy, indie poster boy roots.

By the time they break into crowd pleaser 'Charlotte' five songs in, there's already a remarkable gulf between the Air Traffic of new and old. The band seem almost relieved to have got their big pop centrepiece out of the way, an unwelcome distraction from the subterranean track theyd been so intent on ploughing. Soon after, the bassist and guitarist swap their instruments for two outsized floor drums, another telltale sign of a band pushing themselves in new directions. Despite the novelty, it's easily the weakest moment of the set.

If there's a downfall to Air Traffic's performance tonight, it's their eagerness to race through it. Certainly there's no time to smell the roses; the nearest the crowd gets to banter is the occasional mumble from Wall, and the whole thing is, if not panicked, a little rushed. It's understandable when a band want to showcase as much material as possible, especially when their new efforts are this strong. But take it easy lads, for the audience's sake if not yours....a little pacing never hurt anyone, after all.

The final song they play is a pounding epic, prompting some excitement in the crowd and featuring a lone guitar solo. It's a magnificent end to a set that's been a smouldering slice of piano driven magic, slightly too quick off the mark to be truly loveable.

review by: Nick Hagan